Community Corner

Senior Honored for Volunteer Work at Therapeutic Riding Program

Volunteer Fairfax honors Ilse Kleiman with the Senior Volunteer Award.

A retired woman who spent much of her life behind a desk is now spending her time in the outdoors as a volunteer for the . 

“I wanted to do something completely different from what I had been doing all my life,” said Ilse Kleiman, 69. She had worked as a budget analyst for the U.S. Army and Department of Defense for 25 years. “And I thought this would be something fun to do.”

The Clifton-based program provides therapeutic riding services for clients with disabilities, at-risk youth and veterans of the military.

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Since starting to volunteer at the program four years ago, Kleiman has immersed herself so much in the program she, along with four other NVTRP volunteers, was honored at the Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards last month. She received the Senior Volunteer Award from Volunteer Fairfax.

“Every day in Fairfax County, volunteers donate their time and talents to touch lives and to build stronger communities,” said Jeanne Sanders, executive director of Volunteer Fairfax. “We honor those volunteers for not only the work they have done but for the inspiration they have provided to so many."

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Kleiman said she delighted at the award, but that’s not why she volunteers.

“I was really surprised because believe me I go there for my own satisfaction not to get an award,” Kleiman said.

Volunteering was a change of pace for the lifelong city dweller who had never been around horses. She grew up in postwar Germany.  

The most rewarding part of working at the center is dealing with the people.

“I have seen these people gain confidence by sitting on the horse, interacting with the horses and the people,” Kleiman said. “It’s just been a real joy.”


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